Semporna down Sepanggar in KDM M'sia FA Cup final
Published on: Tuesday, October 22, 2019
By: GL Oh
The victorious KDM Semporna team.
Kota Kinabalu: KDM Semporna defeated KDM Sepanggar 4-1 in the final to lift the KDM Malaysia FA Cup at Likas Stadium on Sunday night.The victory was also sweet revenge for the East Coast side who were earlier shown the exit by the same opponents in the semi-final of the league competition last month.
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Both teams boasted several ex-State players but it was Semporna who had a dream start after taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes.
The opening goal was scored by Mohd Fauzie Abd Kadir in the fourth minute followed by the second from Leopold Alfonso in the ninth minute.
Sepanggar’s response was immediate and they had four scoring opportunities in the remaining half but saw two of the attempts saved by Datu Mohd Armin and two were off target.
Semporna again had a quick fire start in the second half and they increased their lead with Shahrizam Sahar netted the third goal in the 48th minute to pile more pressure on their opponents.
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Sepanggar tried hard to get into the game and they were finally rewarded with a goal from Saddam Yusup in the 60th minute, but their comeback hopes was soon dashed when Zulfadlisham Roseland scored in the 78th minute to restore Semporna’s three-goal advantage until the final whistle.
With the win, the champions took home RM50,000 while the runners-up received RM10,000.
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Team manager for Semporna, Datuk Dzaqoff Ang K.C congratulated the players for the historic win in the East Coast town’s 61-year history.
“The win is also the best birthday present for our Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal whose birthday is today, and who is also the Member of Parliament for Semporna and Assemblyman for Senallang,” said Dzaqoff, fondly known as uncle Chang.
Meanwhile, Sepanggar assistant manager Redzuan Garin Ismail took the loss in his stride and praised both teams for an exciting final.
“It was a very tense and exciting match tonight and we had our chances but unable to take them while Semporna was more clinical in front of goal.
“It was definitely a disappointment but we still have the more important mission in the final of the league competition against KDM Telupid, and we must turn our focus fully on the match scheduled to be held early next month,” he said.
The KDM Malaysia Football league and FA Cup competition organised by KDM Football Organisation with collaboration from the Youth and Sports Ministry is the biggest local tournament in history with a total prize money of more than RM300,000.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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